Fibre optic broadband is growing in coverage and popularity, making our connection to the internet faster than ever. Read our fibre optic broadband guide to find out what this is, how it works and discover whether it's right for you.
What is fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband is a type of internet connection that offers a faster and more reliable internet connection than the alternatives. It’s one of the three widely available types of broadband technology available in the UK, the other two being ADSL (or asymmetric digital subscriber line) and cable, provided through Virgin Media.
How does fibre broadband work?
Fibre broadband uses plastic or glass cables rather than the standard copper wires used in regular broadband connections.
Data is transmitted via beams of light, meaning it travels at light speed and won’t slow down over distances.
There are two main types of fibre broadband:
- FTTC, or fibre-to-the-cabinet: FTTC is the more common of the two, and as the name implies it uses fibre cables to the local cabinet in the street – from there, copper wires are used to connect it to your home. This type of connection offers ‘superfast’ download speeds
- FTTP, or fibre-to-the-premises: FTTP is also known as FTTH, or fibre-to-the-home, and it means the fibre cable goes directly to your home. As a result of cutting out the copper completely, it can offer faster, more reliable speeds.
Our page on FTTP vs FTTC broadband explains it all.
Does fibre broadband need a phone line?
'Standard' fibre (FTTC) uses an analogue phone line to connect your property to the street cabinet, so a phone line is necessary to access the internet.
FTTP doesn't connect to home via copper wiring, so no phone line is required. However, full fibre requires installation - read on for a first-hand experience of when Kim Staples got it installed on her property.
How fast is fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband provides a much faster and more stable connection than ADSL. Many providers offer superfast fibre broadband with downloads speeds of up to around 35Mbps or 60Mbps. Some superfast broadband deals offer speeds of up to 300Mbps.
If you have an ultrafast connection, your speeds may be advertised as 300-900Mbps, or even beyond 1,000Mbps (1Gbps).
Do I need fibre broadband?
Fibre broadband can offer a very fast connection. If you can get it at your address, we'd recommend getting fibre over ADSL, as it's much faster and usually only a few pounds more expensive.
The question is: how fast should your fibre broadband package be? You'll need to consider whether it's worth paying more for a faster package, based on how much you use the internet overall and how many people are in your household.
It might be helpful to broadly categorise internet users into three different types:
- Light users: Light internet users generally just use the web for everyday tasks like checking emails, banking or occasionally using social media
- Medium users: Medium internet users are on the web more often, regularly browsing social media or other websites and occasionally streaming video or audio
- Heavy users: Heavy internet users are the group most likely to benefit from fibre-optic broadband, as the high speeds ensure fewer interruptions when gaming, streaming and downloading video or audio or sharing files
Our guide to broadband speed goes into more detail.
What other types of broadband are there?
The other types of broadband you can look for are:
- ADSL: ADSL is the most common type of connection, but also the slowest and cheapest of your options. It works over the same line as your landline, using BT’s copper wiring infrastructure
- Cable: Cable broadband isn’t as widely available as ADSL in the UK, but it usually offers faster download speeds. Rather than using BT’s copper lines, they use a coaxial cable infrastructure belonging to Virgin Media
Can I get fibre broadband?
Not all types of broadband are available in all areas of the UK – so when you compare broadband deals with MoneySuperMarket you’ll be asked for your postcode. This way we’ll be able to show more accurate results for your area.
Do I need any special equipment for fibre broadband?
Depending on where you live and what you already have, you may require new equipment to be installed in your home in order to access fibre broadband. Your provider will be able to tell you if this is necessary.
Do I need a modem?
Some providers may require you to have a modem in addition to a router for the installation of fibre broadband – you’ll be told about any requirements when you switch.
Does fibre broadband use a phoneline?
Fibre broadband doesn’t technically need a phone line as it requires a specialist type of cable made from glass or plastic. However, if you have an entry-level fibre optic plan (FTTC), it’s likely the connection from your local cabinet to your home will be on a copper line. As a result, it'll require a phoneline.
It’s worth noting that many fibre broadband packages come with a landline anyway. Some providers do offer broadband-only options, though, and full fibre plans don't require a phone line.
Is fibre broadband enough for HD and 4K streaming?
Fibre broadband is likely to be more than enough to stream in HD or 4K. Of course, the faster your connection, the smoother your video – but even entry-level fibre optic will be able to do the job.
Just keep in mind that there are other factors that can affect the strength of your connection. If you're experiencing lagging video and a slower-than-normal connection, our guide Why is my internet so slow? goes into more detail.
Can I cancel my fibre broadband?
You should be able to cancel your fibre broadband or switch before your contract is finished, but cancellation fees will usually apply if you decide to leave early.
You should keep the contract length in mind when comparing deals to ensure you get the term you need.
